Spring SOL Testing Information

Grades 3-6

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Across Virginia, students will be taking Standards of Learning (SOL) tests this spring. Federal and state education departments have decided not to cancel this year’s assessments. In Fairfax County Public Schools, testing for grades 3-8 will be scheduled between April 26 and June 4, 2021. 

All SOL tests must be taken in-person at school. SOL tests are not available for remote delivery from home.  If you do not wish for your student to take SOL tests at school this spring, you have the right to refuse testing. The Right to Refuse Assessments webpage https://www.fcps.edu/node/34277) offers information and considerations as you make this decision. 

If your student attends school virtually, we will schedule testing appointments when your student will come to school to complete their SOL assessments. Bus transportation will be provided for these appointments, as needed. If you choose to refuse the grade 3-8 SOL reading or mathematics test, you will have the opportunity for your student to complete an alternative, non-SOL test at home. The Virginia Remote Student Progress Monitoring Test will provide information about strengths and areas for growth in grade level content standards. 

All Students (Virtual and Hybrid) - As we prepare for spring assessments, we need to collect information about your intentions for spring SOL tests. By, Friday, April 16, 2021 please complete this online Google intent form: https://forms.gle/Nj8PdrMvt3oiE6tz8 Contact Michael Wilson, Assistant Principal/ School Test Coordinator or Amy Willis, Instructional Coach at our school if you need help accessing or completing the form. 

Federal law requires schools to give SOL tests in reading, mathematics, and science. Additionally, state policy requires schools to use local alternative assessments in grade levels and content areas where SOL tests have been removed. 

• SOL tests measure what students have learned of the content and skills detailed in the Virginia Standards of Learning. Tests provide information about student achievement to the parent, school, school division, and state. SOL scores are available for families by the start of the next school year. 
• Local alternative assessments are the combination of formal and informal assessments delivered as part of regular classroom instruction throughout the school year. Like SOL tests, the local alternative assessments measure student learning of the content standards. Performance on local alternative assessments is incorporated into quarterly progress reports for families.  

The table below shows which content areas are assessed at each grade level and on what dates these assessments will be held.  If your student is hybrid, they will be given the assessment on the days they are already in the school building.  If your student is virtual, their testing appointment will be scheduled for one of the dates below.  

If you have questions about state assessments for your student, please contact their teacher or Michael Wilson, Assistant Principal/ School Test Coordinator. 

Estimados padres y tutores:

En todo el estado de Virginia, los estudiantes tomarán las pruebas de los Estándares de Aprendizaje (SOL) esta primavera. Los departamentos de educación federal y estatal han decidido no cancelar las evaluaciones de este año. En las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Fairfax, las pruebas para los grados 3 a 8 se tomarán entre el 26 de abril y el 4 de junio de 2021.

Todas las pruebas SOL deben tomarse en persona en la escuela. Las pruebas SOL no están disponibles para ser tomadas a distancia desde el hogar.  Si usted no desea que su estudiante tome las pruebas SOL en la escuela esta primavera, tiene el derecho de rechazar las pruebas. La página web del Derecho a Rechazar las Evaluaciones https://www.fcps.edu/node/34277) ofrece información y consideraciones para tomar esta decisión.

Si su estudiante asiste a la escuela virtualmente, vamos a programar citas para las pruebas cuando su estudiante venga a la escuela para completar sus evaluaciones SOL. Se proporcionará transporte en autobús para estas citas, según sea necesario. Si usted decide rechazar la prueba de lectura o matemáticas del SOL de los grados 3 a 8, tendrá la oportunidad de que su estudiante complete una prueba alternativa, no SOL, en casa. La prueba de seguimiento del progreso del estudiante a distancia de Virginia proporcionará información sobre los puntos fuertes y las áreas de crecimiento en los estándares de contenido del nivel de grado.

Todos los estudiantes (virtuales e híbridos) - Mientras nos preparamos para las evaluaciones de primavera, necesitamos recopilar información sobre sus intenciones para las pruebas SOL de primavera. Antes del viernes 16 de abril de 2021, por favor, complete este formulario de intención en línea de: https://forms.gle/Nj8PdrMvt3oiE6tz8 Póngase en contacto con Michael Wilson, Subdirector / Coordinador de Pruebas de la Escuela o Amy Willis, Entrenador de Instrucción en nuestra escuela si necesita ayuda para acceder o completar el formulario.

La ley federal requiere que las escuelas den pruebas SOL en lectura, matemáticas y ciencias. Además, la política estatal requiere que las escuelas utilicen evaluaciones alternativas locales en los niveles de grado y áreas de contenido donde las pruebas SOL han sido eliminadas.

• Las pruebas SOL miden lo que los estudiantes han aprendido de los contenidos y habilidades detallados en los Estándares de Aprendizaje de Virginia. Las pruebas proporcionan información sobre el rendimiento de los estudiantes a los padres, la escuela, la división escolar y el estado. Los resultados del SOL están disponibles para las familias al comienzo del siguiente año escolar.
• Las evaluaciones alternativas locales son la combinación de evaluaciones formales e informales que se realizan como parte de la enseñanza regular en el aula a lo largo del año escolar. Al igual que las pruebas SOL, las evaluaciones alternativas locales miden el aprendizaje de los estudiantes de los estándares de contenido. El rendimiento en las evaluaciones alternativas locales se incorpora a los informes trimestrales de progreso para las familias. 

Las evaluaciones alternativas locales son la combinación de evaluaciones formales e informales que se realizan como parte de la enseñanza regular en el aula a lo largo del año escolar. Al igual que las pruebas SOL, las evaluaciones alternativas locales miden el aprendizaje de los estudiantes de los estándares de contenido. El rendimiento en las evaluaciones alternativas locales se incorpora a los informes trimestrales de progreso para las familias. 

La siguiente tabla muestra qué áreas de contenido se evalúan en cada nivel de grado y en qué fechas se llevarán a cabo estas evaluaciones.  Si su estudiante es híbrido, se le hará la evaluación en los días que esté en el edificio escolar.  Si su estudiante es virtual, su cita para las pruebas se programará para una de las fechas que se indican a continuación. 

Si tiene preguntas sobre las evaluaciones estatales para su estudiante, por favor contacte a su maestro o a Michael Wilson, Asistente del Director/Coordinador de Pruebas Escolares. 

Renovation Update: This picture shows the main lobby of the school building. To the right, is where the new main office is being renovated.

SPRING SCHOOL-BASED AAP SERVICES NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP)

SCREENING FOR SCHOOL-BASED (LEVEL II-III) SERVICES

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in grades K-8.  Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extensions of the Program of Studies (POS).  Teachers, administrators, and advanced academic resource teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of school-based services in each elementary school:

Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)

All students in kindergarten through grade six receive level I services which consist of model lessons that are designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills.  The lessons are modeled in all classrooms by AARTs and the thinking strategies are then used throughout the year by classroom teachers and other teachers who work with students. Student responses to these model lessons are used as part of the identification process for AAP services.  Parents may also practice the thinking strategies during family conversations and activities.  A description of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies can be found  on the FCPS AAP Website. 

Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)

The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenge through lessons and resources that extend and enrich the POS.  Level II services are part of a talent development pool.  Students are rescreened annually to make decisions about the need for this level of service.

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)

Students identified by a local school screening committee for part-time advanced academic services are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas.  Students receive direct instruction from the AART at the local school using curriculum from the AAP Curriculum and Resources to Support the Differentiated Framework.  Students identified for Level III services continue to receive level III services through grade 6.

School-Based Screening (Levels II-III and Young Scholars)

Screening for school-based services can happen at any time during the school year but is done schoolwide in spring to determine services for the next school year. Our school-based screening will take place in May. All students will be screened during our Spring School-Based Screening.  At all other times of the year, parents can initiate a referral by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form .  If you have any questions, please email me at seterrone@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academics site for more information.  If a parent or guardian wishes to appeal an ineligible decision, they may submit an appeal with new data for consideration by the local school screening committee.  This new information should be submitted to Sarah Terrone, AART. 

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Terrone, at seterrone@fcps.edu.

Reminder: Requirement of Parent/Guardian Commitment Form

Parents or guardians who chose in-person learning for their child are required to complete a Parent/Guardian Health Screening Commitment form as students are phased back into in-person learning. This document indicates the parent or guardian’s agreement and commitment to completing a daily health screening prior to sending the student to school and also to keep ill students at home. The commitment form is available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.  Additional information is available in this guidance document.

Parents or guardians who have indicated that their child will attend in-school instruction will receive the commitment form electronically, or via hard copy, in their preferred correspondence language. Parents or guardians may choose to provide their response electronically or they may choose to return a hard copy form with their signature

Renovation Update: This picture shows the main office renovation. The new main office is being extended out towards the Kiss And Ride area.

VKRP Testing - Kindergarten

The Virginia state government expects all schools to take part in the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP). The VKRP assesses literacy, mathematics, self-regulation, and social skills.

Kindergarten students in Fairfax County Public Schools take the iReady universal screener reading test for VKRP literacy. Teachers interview students using the Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS) for VKRP mathematics. After observing the student 3-4 weeks, teachers complete the Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) for VKRP self-regulation and social skills. 

VKRP assessments are given in the fall and spring of kindergarten. Students will take the reading test in the fall, winter, and spring. Schools set specific testing dates for each class. 

VKRP is designed to help state officials understand school readiness and student success across Virginia. VKRP results also help teachers, school leaders, and parents know how to support each child's learning and development. 

If you have questions about VKRP assessments, please contact your child's teacher or the school's test coordinator, Mr. Wilson.

Order Your 2020-2021 Yearbooks

Kiss-N-Ride Sign-Up Information

Need to sign up your child for Kiss & Ride?

Registration for 2020-2021 Kiss and Ride is only needed if you plan to pick up your child(ren) in the AFTERNOONS from the Kiss and Ride Loop.

Please read over our procedures below and sign up using the link at the bottom of this page.

Kiss & Ride is a designated loop for parents to drop off and/or pick up children before and after school.  Our Kiss & Ride is located on the side of Washington Mill Elementary School.  For Kiss and Ride to function properly, we are asking parents to follow these procedures:

• Washington Mill school staff members will provide supervision for Kiss & Ride from 8:35 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. 
• Children will load and unload from the passenger side of the car only, so that they do not cross in front of the carpool cars.
• Drivers of school-aged children must remain in the car.
• Cars must stay in a single file line as they move to and from the Kiss & Ride area.  For the safety of the children, no passing will be permitted in the Kiss & Ride area.
• Parents intending to enter the building must park in the front parking lot and report to the main office.
• Inclement weather presents an added safety concern for children who are privately transported.  Extreme caution is necessary on rainy days when traffic is unusually heavy.
• Please be kind and patient while using Kiss & Ride.  It is important that all adults set a good example of cooperation and consideration for all of our children.
• Each student and parent will be assigned a matching number.  Please place the Kiss-N-Ride Number on your rear-view mirror when you pick up your child(ren) for afternoon dismissal. Mr. Wilson has started sending families their numbers prior to their return to school start date.  
• Parents carpooling other students must have those students’ Kiss & Ride numbers.

Thank you for your efforts to keep Washington Mill Elementary School a safe place for children!!

If you have any questions concerning Kiss-N-Ride, please contact Michael Wilson, Assistant Principal at mjwilson@fcps.edu or 703-619-2500.

To register your child for Kiss & Ride, please click here to fill out this online form. You will need to complete a separate form for each child using Kiss & Ride.

Positivity Project

Each week, students at Washington Mill are introduced to a new character trait on the WMES Morning News Show from the Positivity Project.  Administrators give a brief explanation of the character trait to the school community, and each classroom is assigned a character trait to present to the school community. In the past students have created videos, read books, talked about their personal experiences with the character trait, and illustrated pictures. 

For the week of April 12th - April 16th , we will be focusing on 

Fairness

with Mrs. Hoo's 1st Grade Class. 

WHAT DOES FAIRNESS MEAN?

Fairness is the product of moral judgment – the process by
which people determine what is morally right and what is
morally wrong. Moral reasoning has been explored and
analyzed in two main traditions: the justice reasoning
approach and the care reasoning approach.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

For individuals, cultivating the character strength of
fairness is correlated with highly desirable developmental
outcomes. It helps people to become trustworthy friends,
responsible citizens, and generally moral people.

Renovation Update: This picture shows the front of the school building, where the main office is being renovated.

Parent Resources

This picture shows what our completed school will look like at the end of renovation.

FCPS Grab and Go Meals 

Meals will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.  As a reminder, it is important to follow social distancing guidelines. Be sure to stand a minimum of 6 feet apart from others and practice regular hand washing, including prior to leaving a residence to pick-up meals, upon returning home, and before consuming food.  Please wear a mask when picking up meals.  

For more information, visit FCPS' Food Distribution Site.

Executive Function Focus of the Week 

" Boost Your Memory"

What Does Executive Function Mean?

Our executive function skills allow us to control the multiple inputs, outputs, and connections that we experience everyday.

Executive Function is the ability to do the following:

● Monitor one’s own behavior, including thoughts and actions
● Regulate emotional responses
● Think about one’s thinking and behavior
● Problem solve
● Persist through tasks with the end goal in mind
● Begin a task or activity independently

9100 Cherrytree Drive, Alexandria, VA 22309 |  Main Phone: 703.619-2500  Attendance: 703.619.2525 | Web | Twitter